SEPARATION & QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF CATIONS & ANIONS The goal of this experiment is to study some double replacement

(metathesis) reactions and develop an understanding of the solubility rules which are applied when predicting the outcome of double replacement reactions. What are double replacement reactions? 1. In double replacement reactions, there is an exchange of ions between the two reacting species. The general form of the reaction is: A+B + C+D A+D + C+B Notice the exchange of ions. That is, the positive ion, A+ in compound AB, combines with the negative ion, D, in compound CD combine to form the product AD. Likewise, the positive ion, C+ in compound CD, combines with the negative ion, B, in compound AB combine to form the product CB. 2. Double replacement reactions only occur when ions are added or removed from the solution. Such as when . . . . . . An insoluble solid product, called a precipitate is formed (the type studied in this lab). A molecular species such as a liquid, H2O(l), or gas such as carbon dioxide, CO2(g), is formed. A liquid(l) or solid(s) reactant is consumed (used up). Another goal of this experiment is to use each of the four methods of writing the equation for a chemical reaction. The four types are: 1. Word equation In word equations, the names of the reactants and products are written out. An example of a word equation is: sodium iodide + lead nitrate sodium nitrate + lead iodide 2. Formula equations Formula equations consist of formulas substituted for the names in the word equation. Once the formulas are determined, the reaction can be balanced. Substituting formulas for names in the reaction above:

3. Ionic equations Using the solubility guidelines, all water soluble compounds in an aqueous solution are separated into ions in ionic equations. If the substance is a solid, liquid, or gas, the substance is NOT separated into aqueous ions as they do not exist with these substances. The next step in the process is to re-write the balanced equation giving the state (solid, liquid, gas, or aqueous) of each of the reactants and products. Since sodium iodide, NaI, lead nitrate, Pb(NO3)2, and sodium nitrate, NaNO3, are predicted to be soluble in water, they are given the aqueous, (aq), designation. Since lead iodide, PbI2, is predicted to be insoluble in water, it is given the solid, (s), designation. 2NaI(aq) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) 2NaNO3(aq) + PbI2(s)